Nocardiosis



Nocardiosis







Key Facts


Etiology/Pathogenesis



  • Nocardia asteroides



    • Aerobic, partially acid-fast branching actinomycete


    • Rarely measures > 1 µm in diameter


  • Other types of Nocardia may also be the pathogenic agent


Clinical Issues



  • Nocardiosis predominantly affects



    • Lungs


    • Brain


    • Meninges


Microscopic Pathology



  • Acute suppurative pneumonia


  • Abscess formation


Diagnostic Checklist



  • Positive staining for



    • Gram


    • Ziehl-Neelsen






Low-power view of a suppurative pneumonia shows abscess formation image. The remaining portions of the lung show acute inflammatory changes and a small developing abscess image.






Gram histochemical stains show numerous filamentous bacterial organisms image embedded in a pulmonary abscess. Gram stain is important in demonstrating nocardiosis.


TERMINOLOGY


Definitions



  • Infectious condition


ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS


Infectious Agents

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Jul 9, 2016 | Posted by in PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Nocardiosis

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